• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2004

The type of trichomes, their density and pattern of distribution on leaves of 16 genotypes of mulberry, belonging to both diploid and polyploid categories, were studied by scanning electron microscope. The present investigation was undertaken to find out the relationship of physical attributes, especially the density and trichome types with higher acceptability and better rearing performance by the silkworm Bombyx-mori L. Two types of trichomes glandular and non-glandular types were observed on both the leaf surfaces of all the mulberry genotypes studied. In general, greater densities of trichomes were observed on the abaxial surface than the adaxial surface of leaves in most of the genotypes. Distribution of glandular trichomes were more in abaxial surface and non-glandular trichomes were more in adaxial surface. Overall, distribution of glandular and non-glandular trichomes per unit area of leaf did not follow any regular pattern. When leaves of those genotypes were fed to silkworms, trichome density was found to be significantly negatively correlated with the survival of larvae i.e., effective rate of rearing, but trichome density did not influence the economic characters of rearing. As the distribution of glandular trichomes (GT) and non-glandular trichomes (NGT) did not follow any definite pattern, no relation could be established between the GT and NGT densities with silkworm rearing performance. However, the ratio of GT and NGT in a particular genotype influenced the rearing parameters, higher the ratios better the rearing performance. High GT and NGT ratio (＞1.00) was found positively significant when correlated with economic parameters viz., larval weight, single cocoon weight and single shell weight. The study is useful in screening different mulberry genotypes for their better acceptability to silk-worm and higher rearing performance at the early stage of selection without actually conducting the rearing.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 1990

The purpose of this investigation was to study the hematological response of Saudi Arabian Baladi fowl to protein rearing regimens. Males and females were subjected to the following 4 protein rearing regimens: conventional, C; reverse protein, RP; 2 single-stage low protein, $SS_1$ and $SS_2$ using 15% and 12% CP diets, respectively. Regimen effect was highly significant ($$p{\leq_-}.01$$) on BW, PCY, TP and U-Ac and significant ($$p{\leq_-}.05$$) on TL. Serum chol levels were not affected by regimen. In general $SS_{2}$ birds showed the lowest values for all parameters studied, except for PCV. However, the differences were not significant in each case. Age and sex effects were highly significant ($$p{\leq_-}.01$$) for all parameters, however, the regimen X sex interaction was not significant except for PCV. Regimen X age interaction, on the other hand, was highly significant ($$p{\leq_-}.01$$) only for BW, TP and U-Ac concentrations. The data may suggest that low levels of protein in the rearing regimen is an important factor influencing levels of the blood parameters studied. The data also indicate a lack of clear relationship between hen-day egg production and the blood parameters studied.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.444-452
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• 2022

Objective: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of crude protein (CP) and two rearing systems (cage and floor), on blood parameters and digestive and reproductive organ development of brown laying hens. Methods: A total of 400 Hisex Brown laying hens between 30 and 45 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design and a 2×4 factorial arrangement, with main effects including two rearing systems (cage and floor) and levels of CP (140, 150, 160, and 180 g/kg), in a total of eight treatments and five replicates of 10 birds each with initial body weight of 1,877 g (laying hen in cage) and 1,866 g (laying hens in floor). The parameters evaluated were plasma total protein, albumin, uric acid, total cholesterol, relative weights of oviduct, abdominal fat, liver, gizzard, crest and dewlap, length of small intestine and oviduct. Results: The blood parameters were similar in birds reared in cage and floor systems. The birds reared on the floor showed greater small intestine and oviduct weight (%) and lower liver and pancreas weight (%). A significant interaction was observed between factors for the relative gizzard, crest and dewlap weight, serum protein, uric acid, and total cholesterol (p<0.05). The diets with 140 g/kg CP resulted in lower serum protein and lower cholesterol in birds reared in floor system, while birds reared in cage system showed no effect of CP on both parameters. Birds reared in cage and fed with 140 and 150 g/kg CP presented lower uric acid. The group of birds reared in floor system fed 180 g/kg had greater uric acid. Conclusion: The dietary protein level can be reduced up to 140 g/kg for Hisex Brown hens (30 to 45 weeks of age) without an important effect on metabolic profile and organ development in both rearing systems.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2016

One major constraint in the development and implementation of a successful and cost-effective area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programme with a SIT component for Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the ability to produce a large number of high quality mass-reared individuals. The aim of this study was to develop a more efficient and practical egg collection system in an attempt to improve the mass-rearing of this species. The following basic parameters were examined: egg production per female, egg hatch, pupal recovery, pupal weight, adult emergence and percentage of fliers. Three different strains (Israel wild-type, France wild-type, and Greece laboratory) were tested and each strain was evaluated for six generations. Female flies of the Israel strain produced significantly more eggs per female than the other two strains, but egg hatch was significantly lower. Egg hatch of the France wild type and the Greece laboratory strain was similar. For all other parameters, there was no significant difference between strains; however, there was a significant generational effect for all parameters observed. As a result of this study, a protocol was developed for the mass-rearing of this species that included the use of large adult holding cages that could house up to 96,000 flies per cage. The newly developed method of egg collection using a flat wax panel as one of the sides of an adult holding cage proved to be cost-effective, efficient, making colony growth easier for industrial mass-rearing.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2007

Ethanol extract of 20 botanicals in 3 concentrations i.e., 2.5%, 5% and 10% were evaluated for their efficacy to improve reproductive performance of mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mod L.) through feeding botanical enriched mulberry leaves during $2^{nd}$ day of $4^{th}$ age as well as $1^{st}$ and $3^{rd}$ day of $5^{th}$ age larvae. The preliminary screening was done by ranking the botanicals based on influence in most important reproductive contributing parameters such as single cocoon weight, effective rate of rearing, pupation rate, fecundity and recovery of eggs/kg cocoon. Five botanicals viz., Asparagus recemosus, Achyranthes aspera, Tribulus terrestris, Withania somnifera, Parthenium histerophorus ranked first were further evaluated at 8% 5% and 3% concentrations to confirm their effectiveness and standardize effective concentration. Among the rearing parameters, mature larval weight, shell ratio and number of cocoons/kg were not significantly influenced by the treatments. However, reproductive parameters such as effective rate of rearing (wt), pupation rate (%), fecundity (No.) and egg recovery (g)/kg cocoon were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the botanicals. Higher fecundity and egg recovery were obtained on treatment with Withania somnifera irrespective of concentrations. However at 5% concentration, pupation rate, fecundity as well as egg recovery were found significantly higher than that of other concentrations, confirming its effectiveness for improving reproductive efficiency.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2015

Growth rate during rearing, which varies depending on provided nutrition, has been related with age at $1^{st}$ calving (AFC). This study investigated the effect of upgrowth parameters during the rearing period on the reproduction of nulliparous Holstein heifers. The study comprised 77 successively born heifers from the same herd. Growth rate and fertility traits were measured during rearing and fertility parameters were recorded in lactations 1. Growth parameters (body weight, height, heart girth and body length) were measured at the approximate birth time, 270 and 450 d of age. Reproduction data collected included age at $1^{st}$ breeding, number of services per conception (S/C), pregnancy rate to $1^{st}$ artificial insemination, AFC. Animals were subsequently divided into 4 AFC groups for analysis: <23 mo, 23~25 mo, 26~30 mo and >30 mo. The AFC reflected both upgrowth rate and heifer reproduction, with later calving heifers smaller. Increased skeletal growth (at 270 and 450 d) was related with a reduced AFC (p<0.05). Early calving animals (<23 mo) had the best reproduction as nulliparous heifers, with most conceiving at first service (87.5%). Fertility in the first lactation was the worst in the oldest AFC group (>30 mo). In the 1st lactation period, a number of services per conception ($3.1{\pm}0.3$) increased with increasing AFC (>30 mo). Sub-optimal upgrowth related with an increased AFC could be mitigated by improved monitoring of replacement heifers during the rearing period.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.127-135
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• 2007

Precocious metamorphosis was induced in two popular bivoltine breeds i.e. YB and $NB_4D_2$ by an imidazole compound having anti-juvenile hormone activity. The chemical was administered by feeding treatment with mulberry leaf to freshly moulted (0-6 hrs) IV instar larvae. The dose of the chemical was found to be breed specific being 650 ppm for YB and 500 ppm for $NB_4D_2$. The chemical caused complete skipping up of the fifth instar larvae which is most susceptible to diseases. But IV instar was somewhat prolonged. As a result the total larval period was reduced by 4-5 days. However, some of the rearing and reeling parameters like cocoon yield, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell %, filament length and fecundity were reduced for that particular generation only. The effective rate of rearing (ERR %) was significantly increased in trimoulters during the most unfavourable August - September seed crop season. Number of cocoons / kg and number of male moth were significantly higher in trimoulters. These may be useful for preparation of $multi{\times}bi$ hybrid seed. Fine denier was also found in trimoulter cocoon which is the cause of getting fine silk filament from trimoulter cocoons. Normal mating behaviour and emergence pattern was recorded in trimoulters. Bivoltine trimoulter males also showed competence for mating with multivoltine females. These results suggest the possibility of getting trimoulter males during hot and humid seasons when rearing of bivoltine is almost impossible particularly in Eastern and North Eastern India.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.455-464
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• 2021

This study was conducted to evaluate meat quality traits, proximate composition, fatty acid profile and sensory attributes of pork produced under free-range and semi-intensive pig rearing systems. Longissimus dorsi muscles from pork carcasses were taken just after the slaughtering of finishing pigs reared under semi-intensive and free-range systems to test the meat quality parameters (pH, color, water holding capacity, and cooking loss), proximate composition (moisture, protein, fat, and ash) and fatty acid profile. Furthermore, the organoleptic properties were evaluated using 30 untrained panelists. The results revealed that the system of rearing did not affect (p > 0.05) the proximate composition, water holding capacity, color, pH and cooking loss of pork along with the fatty acid composition except for vaccenic acid (p < 0.05). The monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content was affected (p < 0.05) by the rearing system while no effects were observed on the unsaturated fatty acid: saturated fatty acid ratio and omega-six to omega-three fatty acids ratios (p > 0.05). No difference was observed (p > 0.05) concerning the sensory attributes although pork obtained from the free-range system had the highest scores. In conclusion, the system of rearing did not show a significant effect on the meat quality parameters, composition and sensory attributes of pork obtained from cross-bred pigs.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2007

Twenty - four elite mulberry germplasm each of indigenous and exotics were studied for their leaf yield and compared with commercial check ($V_1$ and Kosen). Accession MI-0416 and ME-0169 out yielded the check accession in leaf yield/plant. The other few mulberry germplasm were also performed at par with the checks. For quality test and bioassay were conducted with the leaves of selected mulberry germplasm. Among the selected twelve mulberry accessions used for bioassay, MI-0376 and ME-033 performed better than check ($V_1$, Kosen). Other mulberry accessions i.e., MI-0310 and MI-0437 are on par with the check as far as the bioassay is concerned. MI-0376 and ME-0033 out yielded in rearing parameters and qualified for 11 and 10 rearing and related traits. Other mulberry accessions i.e., MI-0310 and MI-0437 were also qualified for eight rearing traits along with check ($V_1$). The mulberry accessions tested after selection from the preliminary characterization seems to be better and equally good in rearing and leaf yield compared to check ($V_1$, Kosen), which provides scope for selection and further evaluation. The selected mulberry accession may be included in crop improvement programme.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.243-264
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• 2013

Antheraea mylitta Drury is a commercial silk producing forest insect in India and Xanthopimpla pedator Fabricius is its larval-pupal endoparasitoid, which causes pupal mortality that affects seed production. Effects of host plants, rearing season and their interactions on parasitic behaviour of X. pedator were studied here, as influence of these factors on biological success of X. pedator is not known. Seven forest tree species were tested as food plants for A. mylitta, and rate of pupal parasitization in both the rearing seasons were recorded and analysed. Results showed that rearing season and host plants significantly affected the rate of pupal parasitization in both the sexes. Pupal mortality was found significantly higher (14.52%) in second rearing season than the first (2.89%). Likewise, host plants and rearing seasons significantly affected length, diameter, and shell thickness of cocoons in both sexes. Out of all infested pupae, 85.59% were found male, which indicated that X. pedator chooses male spinning larva of A. mylitta for oviposition, but we could not answer satisfactorily the why and how aspect of this sex specific parasitic behaviour of X. pedator. Multiple regression analysis indicated that length and shell thickness of male cocoons are potential predictors for pupal parasitization rate of X. pedator. Based on highest cocoon productivity and lowest pupal mortality, Terminalia alata, T. tomentosa, and T. arjuna were found to be the most suitable host plants for forest based commercial rearing of A. mylitta in tropical forest areas of Uttarakhand state, where it has never been reared earlier. Sex and season specific interaction of X. pedator with its larval-pupal host, A. mylitta is a novel entomological study to find out explanations for some of the unresolved research questions on parasitic behaviour of X. predator that opens a new area for specialised study on male specific parasitization in Ichneumonidae.